Systems and methods for use by an implantable medical device for controlling multi-site CRT pacing in the presence of atrial tachycardia

US8332033B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• PACESETTER, INC. · US

Inventors

• Derrick W. Reed · Calabasas, US
• Rohan More · Glendale, US
• Heidi Hellman · Los Angeles, US
• Eliot L. Ostrow · Sunnyvale, US
• Paul A. Levine · Santa Clarita, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 16, 2011
• Grant date: Dec 11, 2012
• Expiry date: Jul 27, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/36843
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for use by implantable medical devices equipped to deliver multi-site left ventricular (MSLV) pacing. Sequential MSLV is associated with a relatively long post-ventricular atrial blanking (PVAB) period that might limit the detection of pathologic rapid organized atrial tachycardias (OAT). In one example, sequential MSLV cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing is delivered within a tracking mode. A possible atrial tachycardia is detected based on the atrial rate exceeding an atrial tachycardia assessment rate (ATAR) threshold. The device then switches to either single-site LV pacing or simultaneous MSLV pacing, thereby effectively shortening the PVAB to detect additional atrial events that might otherwise be obscured, and thereby permitting the device to more reliably distinguish OATs (such as atrial flutter) from sinus tachycardia. The device may also employ an automatic mode switch (AMS) threshold set higher than the ATAR threshold for use in switching from tracking modes to nontracking modes.